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Farmers thronged Vindo Grounds in Voi last week for the first Taita Taveta County Agricultural Society of Kenya Trade Fair. The exhibition was launched by Taita Taveta County Governor Granton Samboja.
According to the show chairman Martin Oyindo, the event was a platform for the county to learn food security, develop new partnerships and enhance capacity of farmers in value addition.
Governor Samboja urged farmers to diversify and grow drought-resistant crops rather than rely on maize. He also said crops like groundnuts earn farmers more than Sh40,000 per acre in one planting season since they mature early and give returns within two months.
“These crops mature early and give returns within two months. Our county agricultural officers should visit farmers at the grassroots to ensure they diversify. Time has come for us to work together to improve our peoples livelihoods,” said Samboja.
The event created an avenue for 200 exhibitors and farmers to create new market linkages, share knowledge and network. It brought together farmers, parastatals, financial institutions, manufacturers of farm machinery, agro chemicals and agrovet companies, traders and value addition groups among others.
Representatives of the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani economic bloc (Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties) attended the event.
Samboja said that in future, a 50-acre showground would be built to host a full-scale agricultural show fully supported by the Agricultural Society of Kenya.
The show was funded by the Taita Taveta county government and supported by Food and Agriculture Organisation, Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme - Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihood, Micro Enterprise Support Programme, United States Agency for International Development among other partners.
Food and Agricultural Organisation representative Barrack Okoba said they were working to create market linkages to reduce wastage in the farms so that residents benefit fully from their farming.
County Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries executive Davies Mwangoma said approximately 100 exhibitors showcased their products.
He said the success of the show would encourage the county to hold annual events supported by the Agricultural Society of Kenya as Taita Taveta aims to be named the 18th branch of ASK. Apart from the enhancement of extension services and fun fare on the sidelines, the best farmers were awarded.
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization
with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations,
television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group
is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in
matters of national and international interest.
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